I'm thinking about getting it done by the detailing guys at my dealer. I can get it for dirt cheap around $80 for a full detail.

I'm just wondering, what happens after a year after applying? Do I have to reapply it? Is it just a sealant?

I hear a lot of good and a lot of bad things about it. What's your take on it?

 

This type of paint protection product is merely a synthetic sealant, be cognizant there is no polymer, synthetic or natural wax, or after-market product available that can provide a five year or lifetime protection to a paint film surface; read the fine print in the contract offered by car dealerships. here is normally a clause that states you should return the vehicle for a "maintenance" application of the product (at 3 or 6 months intervals) failing to do this will void your warranty or the fine print will basically exclude every condition you could claim against

The primary protection provided for a modern water-based colour coat is a polythene paint that has a thickness of (127 - 178 µ) comprise a Primer coat of 2Mils (50 µ) a Colour coat of 1-2Mils (25 -50 µ) and Clear coat 2-3Mils (50 - 75 µ) An applied paint protection product is the entire barrier that provides protection for automotive paintwork besides the clear coat paint and this renewable barrier is probably less than 0.001Mil (0.0254 µm)

While it’s true that a polymer paints melting point is 350oF +, it is still subject to evaporation and erosion by the elements and vehicle washing. However its durability is approximately five or six months. The newer silica coating products actually exhibit a durability of two years or more (but not lifetime)

Most dealerships rely on the fact that few customers read the fine print on the contract; most contain a clause that states “it must be reapplied every 6 months and every 3 months on darker coloured cars (for which a service charge will apply)”.

 

The good things you hear is from people that JUST had it done and don't know the difference and havent tried to claim. The bad things are from the people that found out they were scammed. $80 is the cheapest I have ever heard ..


The other thing this leads to is people thinking once its on the paint is bullet proof and they neglect it only to find out later its not.

Spend $10 on a bottle of Duragloss #105 or another good quality sealant ( most OTC aren't in this catagory ) and do it yourself.

TOGWT explains it very well.

 

Opti-Coat, Hard Body or AQuartz. These are legit coatings you can use to get 2+ years of protection.

Most other products are hype.